Stay Current

What actually convinces someone to adopt clean energy? It’s not always cost. It’s not always technology. More often, it’s trust. 

In this episode of Stay Current, we sit down with Brian Keane, President of SmartPower, and Benoy Thanjan, Founder & CEO of Reneu Energy and host of the Solar Maverick Podcast, to talk about the deeply human side of the energy transition. 

From community solar projects in Manhattan public housing to nationwide peer-to-peer solar adoption campaigns, this discussion explores why people are far more likely to embrace clean energy when they see neighbors, friends, and local communities leading the way first. 

Brian shares decades of insight into behavioral marketing and the psychology behind renewable energy adoption, including why early solar campaigns often missed the mark and how trust-based, community-driven engagement became one of the industry’s most effective tools. Benoy offers a developer-and-entrepreneur perspective, discussing the realities of deploying solar projects in urban environments, creating workforce opportunities through community partnerships, and making renewable energy more accessible to low- and moderate-income households. 

The conversation also dives into misinformation, generational shifts in sustainability, energy independence, virtual power plants, and the growing role utilities will play as rising energy demand, AI infrastructure, and grid modernization reshape the future of power. 

At its core, this episode is about more than solar panels. It’s about how people make decisions, how communities influence change, and why the future of clean energy may depend just as much on relationships and storytelling as it does on technology itself

In this episode of Stay Current, we tackle a challenge nearly every professional knows too well: staying healthy while on the road. 

Conference days start early, end late, and often revolve around hotel coffee, rushed meals, and back-to-back sessions. Add frequent flights, disrupted routines, and packed schedules, and even the most disciplined wellness habits can unravel quickly. 

Joining the conversation are John McDonald (55 years of engineering experience and over 4.6M miles flown so far on Delta Airlines)  and Matthew LaPorta (“Road warrior” 18+ years of sales experience), who bring candid, practical insight into what it actually takes to maintain physical and mental health amid business travel. 

Rather than chasing perfection, this conversation focuses on sustainability: 

• Small, repeatable habits that work in airports, hotels, and convention centers 
• How fitness, sleep, and nutrition directly impact leadership performance and decision-making 
• Realistic ways to move, recover, and refuel even during packed conference schedules 
• Reframing wellness not as a “nice to have,” but as a professional advantage 

Whether you’re logging miles between conferences or navigating frequent business travel, this episode offers grounded, experience-based strategies to help you show up energized, focused, and resilient no matter where work takes you next. 

In this episode of Stay Current, we explore one of the most quietly complex shifts in today’s workforce: the emerging dynamic between Gen Z and their more senior counterparts.  

As Gen Z enters the workplace, traditional mentorship models are being challenged. This generation brings new expectations around communication, boundaries, and purpose. In response, leaders are seeking to build productive partnerships with their younger mentees while helping them navigate a workplace whose foundation was laid long before they were born.  

This conversation examines how mentorship has evolved from informal guidance and sink-or-swim learning to intentional support, transparency, and ongoing dialogue. We discuss what it really means to guide early-career professionals today, how to balance accountability with empathy, and where the line exists between support and enablement. 

Rather than framing generational differences as a problem to solve, this episode reframes mentorship as a relationship rooted in trust, clarity, and mutual learning. The goal isn’t to bog Gen Z in our world with dated expectations, but to help them grow into capable, confident professionals in a workplace that looks very different from the one we entered. 

Energy affordability isn’t just about cost—it’s about behavior, perception, and access.

In this episode, we unpack how data analytics and targeted marketing are reshaping energy assistance—and why psychological barriers often matter just as much as price. From vulnerable populations navigating rising bills to the hidden energy demands of remote work, this conversation reveals what’s really driving consumption today.

We explore how household dynamics, housing quality, and even comfort expectations influence usage, alongside the growing strain from data centers and aging infrastructure. The result? A system that requires smarter messaging, better program design, and a more human-centered approach.

If the goal is a more equitable energy future, it starts with understanding how people actually live—not just how they’re billed.

The utility industry is facing what IUCX calls the Silver Tsunami, a wave of retirements from experienced engineers, operators, linemen, CIS experts, and leaders who have kept the grid running for decades.  

In this episode of Stay Current, we explore what happens when an industry's senior employees retire, why utilities are uniquely vulnerable to workforce gaps, and how forward-thinking organizations are preparing for the next generation of talent.  

From mentorship programs to new apprenticeship models, AI-enabled knowledge capture, and modern training approaches, we’ll discuss how utilities can preserve expertise, build resilient teams, and turn a looming workforce crisis into an opportunity for transformation.  

Because powering the future isn’t just about technology, it’s about the people who guide it.  

In this episode of Stay Current, we sit down with Shivi Deveshwar, a Data & AI Strategist at Minnesota Power, to explore how we communicate matters just as much as the AI tools we use. 

Drawing from real-world leadership, public speaking, and applied AI work, the conversation breaks down how clarity, context, constraints, and iteration skills honed on stage translate directly into better prompts. Through practical examples and before-and-after scenarios, this episode offers an actionable mindset shift for energy leaders navigating AI in high-stakes, regulated environments. 

This episode explores the preparations and challenges faced by Los Angeles as it gears up to host the Olympics for the third time. The discussion covers the historical context of the Olympics in LA, collaboration with federal agencies for security, operational readiness, cybersecurity, transportation innovations, sustainability initiatives, and the shift towards carbon-free energy.

In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the city of Pasadena as it prepares for the upcoming Olympics. They highlight the importance of learning from past experiences, the need for over-preparation, and the role of collaboration among different community stakeholders.

They share the importance of contingency planning, resource scaling, and effective customer communication amid increasing complexity and uncertainty. The conversation also touches on infrastructure upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and the integration of technology in utility management, emphasizing the lasting benefits these efforts will have on the community.

This conversation explores the evolution of conferences, the impact of virtual events, and the dynamics of networking in both in-person and digital environments. The speakers discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by hybrid events, the importance of engagement strategies for speakers, and the shift towards transactional relationships in professional settings. They emphasize the value of in-person connections and the need to navigate industry events effectively to maximize networking opportunities. This conversation delves into the nuances of effective public speaking and audience engagement. The speakers share insights on how to connect with audiences, structure presentations, and personalize content to enhance the listener's experience. They discuss the importance of feedback in improving future events and the evolving landscape of event personalization. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of overcoming nervousness and the continuous journey of becoming a better speaker.

Customer expectations are evolving fast, and they’re not the same across generations. Hear directly from Boomers, Millennials, Gen X, and Gen Z customers as they reveal what wins their attention, what loses them instantly, and how utilities can keep up. It’s a rare, honest conversation that gives utilities the insights they need to modernize engagement and build trust with every generation they serve.